Meeting Crafty Friends

I've been very lucky to have met many new crafty friends from Etsy.  While meeting folks from New Jersey is only slightly challenging, trying to meet members of the JET (Jewelry on Etsy Team) has been more challenging, since we are spread over the globe.

Today I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the lovely Angelika from Vandiva and Vandivalicous.  We could have talked all day, but alas, I had  plane to catch. What was most interesting was the fact that although our backgrounds are totally different, we had many common threads running through our lives.

I have to also say that everyone I have met so far has been just terrific! I have been very pleased them all.

More shopping alternatives

Another great place to find handmade items is Artfire.com.

I've moved some of my items there.

If you have seen something at my Etsy shop, and can't find it, try looking at my Artfire shop

I listed these fun wine glass charms! and some other items, all handmade by me!

Thanksgiving weekend specials

My two teams on Etsy are having lots of specials this weekend to intice shoppers!

The Jet team is having another trivia hunt on Sunday and Monday.  Lots of our members are having sales this weekend. Search the tag "jetteam" to see all the wonderful creations by Jet team members. There are designs of all kinds!

You visit a list of shops to answer the questions and some one will win free jewelry!

here is Sunday's thread.

My EtsyNJ team is also having many sales. You can search the tag "etsynj team" to find lots of great items all made here in the Garden State!

You can also visit our blog to read all about the sales!

Great new gifts

I've added some new holiday gifts at Capital City Craft Studio. Hand made in USA! Glass hearts and stars, angels and snow people. Need something for that person who has everything? This is the place to find the unique and unusual!

Holiday gifts

I did most of my shopping at two craft shows. The first, the Handmade Faire, was on a stormy day. The poor folks who were outside had a rough day. Many Etsy craft people were selling their wares.

The second was in Point Pleasant at OM Baby. We all had a great time, even though some of did not sell very much. But I'm happy. Most every one is getting handmade gifts that were made here in the USA.

Hopefully, you will look for local artists when you shop on line. There are all kinds of craft shows on every weekend, it's not too difficult to find one!

How to get the presents you want!

First , I want to say that this year, more than ever, it's important to shop USA.  Keep the money you are spending here. When you buy handmade in USA, you are helping to support an artist! 

I can't take credit for this idea. It came from one of my fellow EtsyNJ crafters, and it's a fabulous suggestion!

One an account on Etsy.com for your spouse, so, friend or whomever is buying you lots of presents. Use the account to pick all the items that you love and put them in your favorites folder.

Then give the login information to the pther person so they can see what you want and buy it for you! It's just so easy and everyone will be happy at present opening time.

Happy shopping everyone!

Want jewelry? Jet Holiday Sale

Gift giving time will be here before you know it!  The Jet ( Jewelry on Etsy Team) is having their annual sale 10/26 to 11/8.  The many shops , each with their own style and collection, have their own specials.  Want jewelry?  This is where to buy it!  Shop early for the best selection, many items are one of a kind and will not be repeated. When you visit Etsy.com, search tags for "jhsjetteam" to find the  special sale items in all the shops.

Here are just a few of the lovely creations you can find at the Jet Holiday Sale- happy shopping!

More great NJ artists

One of the rocks of our NJ team is Beachchik.  I just love this t-shirt she has made for little ones... where's mine??????  Take a minute to visit her shop and read her profile.  There are fun creations with the world in mind!

Beachchik will be at our Etsy NJ holiday show at Om Baby in PT. Pleasant on November 8.  Come and bring money.  There will be lots of great creations by New Jersey crafters.

The Handmade Faire

This Saturday, October 25th, there is a great New Jersey craft fair in Medford, the Handmade Faire.  Follow the link and you can check out the nearly 100 crafters that will be participating.

One of the crafters and a wonderful EtsyNJ member is Shutterkate. She make a fabulous array of knit and crochet products.  I think this tie is truly unique !

More cool gifts!

Another great shop that will be at Etsy holiday fair at OM Baby on November 8 is Seahorse designs. A working mom, creating with yarns and other materials every spare moment of the day! I just love this eco-bag, hand crocheted in cotton- a sure winner for shopping!

Craft show soon!

I'm participating in a craft show on November 8th in Point Pleasant, New Jersey on Saturday November 8.  Many fine ETSY NJ team members will be selling their creations.

The first I will mention is carol's heART creations.  Carol makes scarves, jewelry and embellished clothing with interesting combinations of materials and an eye for the details.  I'm very fond of this tee!

Busy fingers

My grandmother was very important to me when when I was growing up.  She was born in 1903, and the lean times of the 20's and 30's made her very thrifty, and gave her a strong work ethic.

I've had very busy hands lately, filling my jewelry shop with many treats for your holiday shopping!

The Jet Holiday sale starts very soon , so please take a look and pick out your favorites!

New creations in glass

We've added a new artist at Capital City Craft Studio.  I've been seeing beautiful handcrafted products from Green Mountain Glass at trade shows, and decided it's time to offer them to you!

Please visit the New Items on our website to see them all!

Exposed!

One of the Jet team members, Vicki Diane Designs creates wonderful treasuries "exposed" with pictures of the artists

I'm in her latest! Can you pick me out from the lovely crowd?

Pink Posies

Today I found another New Jersey shop in ETSY, Little Pink Posies.

Just really adorable items for girls... especially girls who love pink! I can't even pick any favorites.. but the pendants are personalized and truly unique.

REd hot red!

I really can't describe these beads.  They are red... they are fuschia... they have AB ..  unfortunately the camera does not show it all!

But whe I saw them.. I had to buy them!  they are very special!

Check out the necklace!

Great graphic designs!

Today I am writing about a new Etsy find:  Grafikexpressions.  Beautiful designs, loving philosophy, caring through supporting some wonderful charities.

Great wedding, shower and  baby announcements:  here is just one example.  Custom orders are always welcome!

New Etsy Treasury

It was a busy week, and I've been absent.  here are some new earrings I created using some of the beads from our team swap.  It does not show very well in the photo, but the tube beads have a fiber-optic effect.

I was able to make a new treasury tonight.  I picked some great creations from members of the JET team, Jewelry on Etsy.  It's hard to pick only a few items to spotlight.  Everyone is just so darn creative.

You can see my picks here.

Art all Night!

The past couple of years , Trenton has held this cool event... art all night-

If you are in the area- check it out!

Unexpected Jewelry!

Today I am writing about one of the JET team members, Vintage Jewelry Box.  Not your usual jewelry.  Maybe it has something to do with the climate in California? Wooden pendants, buttons and beads in very interesting combinations.  Everything very creative~!  I had trouble picking a photo for here, it was all very exciting and fresh.

Etsy Treasury

I finally got lucky today and made a treasury on ETSY.  It's a list of handpicked items to share with the world.  I picked from my creative friends in New Jersey!  I had to include one of my new creations.  I am so impressed everyday with all the creative ideas we all bring to life.

Cool Batik!

Time to blog about another member of the etsyNJ team.  Susan has just wonderful batik prints! The batik process makes each item truly a one of a kind creation.

The idea of batik print cards is very unusual to me.  Her pillows look like they will give you sweet dreams on the couch!

Here is a picture of one of her beautiful creations.. be sure to check out her shop!

Fancies!

This morning I came upon La Bella Designs, a fellow member of the Etsy JET team.

Just beautiful and elegant jewelry with gemstones in sterling and , gold filled and 14KT.  Rebecca  has a great creative spirit and a wonderful eye for design.  I think this necklace with smoky quartz and pink garnet is one of her most interesting designs!

meeting Etsians

I met Rachel yesterday.  I had posted about a leather jacket which had become too raggedy to wear any longer but could be recycled.  Rachel responded and we live close so I was able to pass it on!  As artists, it is hard to throw things away because we always see the potential creative ways to use things.  Think before you toss!  And if you can't use it- maybe one of your fellow etsians might love it!

Here is Rachel's shop- watch for  my jacket reincarnated!

Buckeye state!

One of the JET team members, Signature Sterling has a Buckeye collection! Cool idea for fans!  I'm always amazed in the directions creativity takes us.

Dog days!

The dog days of summer are not quite here.  But I found these black and white glass beads and thought about dalmatians.  There is a bracelet and pair of earrings.  You can see them at my ETSY shop. 

From the West Coast

Today I stumbled upon Linda Faigen's shop for jewelry and hairsticks. 

I have short hair, but as you know, it's very easy to want what you don't have.  I still have some hair sticks from my mother in my treasure box.  There is a certain fascination with objects that sometimes we can't explain, I guess it's part of the creative process.

If I had long hair, I could picture twisting it up with any of Linda's hair sticks! I really like this set with the glowing handmade beads.

Fabulous hair decorations!

I'm going be be writing about my fellow etsian's creations here also.

Today I found just beautiful floral hair ornaments at katylua's shop.

She's another crafter from the great garden state!

The color of this rose reminds me of my new rose in front of my house! There are hair clips for babies as well as Mommies! She also has great whimsical pins. 

Summer is here almost!

I have lots of jewelry I've made, languishing around.  I thought last night about summer, so I put together a few ankle bracelets.  My thought was you should be able to wear  it day and night, beach or pool and not worry about it being ruined.  So I used sterling silver with glass or stone beads.  Here's just one.

Visit my shop to see the rest!

Thanks to Etsy fan!

Last night I was searching and found a blog from a big ETSY fan.  Thanks Pamcasso for loving us and sharing your love!

more jewelry

My free time varies so much.  But the other day I had some time to make some sterling silver parts for some earrings.  I have dozens of ideas stacked up for when I have time for them.

Here are the sail earrings.

New jewelry shop!

See my new jewelry shop here!  There are so many talented people in the world- you can find anything you want at ETSY.com

http://capitalcitycrafts.etsy.com

Give Mom a new house!

Spring is here, or almost here depending upon where you live.  Be sure to visit my friend's website for really wonderful bird houses and bird feeders.

More crafts every day

In addition to Capital City Craft Studio, I am now selling jewelry and other handcrafted items at a new site just for handcrafted products.  Visit Etsy.com and check out all the interesting ideas that artists are bringing to life!

More jewelry for Valentine's Day

I've been making jewelry of many kinds since high school.  Unfortunately now I am limited by making a real living doing other things. But I've added some one of a kind handmade originals to Capital City Craft Studio.  If you are looking for some really different necklaces, this is the place to look!

Another great Valentine's Day gift

Why not let your loved one know you love then every second of every day?

Our Heart clock will do just that!  Light as a feather, it can be hung anywhere on just a push pin.  Hand made in the USA. Buy it here at www.capitalcitycraftstudio.

More Valentine's Day ideas

Capital City Craft Studio has another great idea for your sweetie on Valentine's Day.

Our angel hearts are beautifully crafted in California of transparent glass with an iridescent coating.  We have red and turquoise in stock.  These hearts look great hanging in a window or even on the wall. They are only $20!  you can buy one and have money left over for a box of chocolates or a wonderful meal.

Valentine's Day is approaching fast!

Are you seeking a new and different way to show your sweetie how much you love them for Valentine's Day? Capital City Craft Studio has several unique items that can help you out.

One of our favorite items is the raku heart spirit rattle. Because the firing process gives each it's own unique colors and lusters, it is truly a one of a kind gift.